Smartphone Pressure Mounts for Samsung and Apple Exiting a Strong Q4
2012, According to ABI Research

January 24, 2013 10:07 PM Eastern Standard Time

SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nearly 196 million smartphones and 451 million handsets were shipped
during Q4 2012, according to the latest estimates from marketing
intelligence firm ABI Research. This brings 2012 annual totals to 653
million smartphone and 1.6 billion handset shipments, representing a 36%
and 2% YoY growth rate respectively. Smartphones accounted for 43% of
all handset shipments in Q4, which pushed smartphones to 41% of all
shipments in 2012.

Samsung retained its lead position overall by shipping 106 million
handsets of which 60 million were smartphones in Q4 and capturing 31% of
total smartphone shipments. In 2012 Samsung grew its handset shipments
by 21.6% and its smartphone shipments by 123.8%. Despite missing most
analyst estimates in Q4, Apple grew its smartphone shipment share to
24.5%, up from 16.4% in Q3. Apple shipped 47.8 million iPhones in Q4
bringing its 2012 annual total to 135.8 million. Apple’s 2012 annual
shipment growth declined from 96% in 2011 to 46% in 2012.

“It is clear that the iPhone’s hyper-growth has ended, and ABI Research
believes that Apple’s market share will peak in 2013 at 22%,” says
mobile devices senior analyst Michael Morgan. “Unless Apple is willing
to trade iPhone margins for low cost iPhone shipments, Apple’s handset
market share will become dependent on customer loyalty.”

Looking at the rest of the pack, Nokia shipped 86.3 million handsets and
6.6 million smartphones in Q4 while RIM’s shipments of smartphones
declined to 6.9 million. ZTE had an excellent Q4 with 20.7 million
handset shipments and 11.2 million smartphone shipments.

“Samsung and Apple are both under pressure to maintain their market lead
as less costly smartphones gain momentum entering 2013,” notes senior
practice director Jeff Orr. “Technology optimization choices and a
diverse handset portfolio are critical decisions over the next 6 to 9
months to come out ahead.”

These findings are part of ABI Research’s Mobile
Handset Markets Database, which includes files detailing smartphone
and mobile handset shipments, forecasts, and market share.

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of
trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From
offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team
of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and
advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com,
or call +1.516.624.2500.